Tris(4-hydroxy-3,5-diisopropylbenzyl)amine as a new bridging ligand for novel trinuclear titanium complexes

Tris(4-hydroxy-3,5-diisopropylbenzyl)amine (LH₃) was synthesized by the reaction of 2,6-diisopropylphenol and hexamethylenetetramine in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid or paraformaldehyde. Its solid state structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Its fully deprotonated specie, (4-O-3,5-i-Pr₂PhCH₂)₃N (L), was used to form novel trinuclear half-sandwich titanocene complexes, namely [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)TiCl₂]₃L (1) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ti(OMe)₂]₃L (2), which were then tested for the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst. Their catalytic properties were directly compared with those of trichloro(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) (3) and dichloro(2,6-diisopropylphenolato)(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) (4). 1/MAO and 2/MAO systems showed higher activities towards styrene polymerization than the mononuclear catalytic systems 3/MAO and 4/MAO, giving syndiotactic polystyrene of high molecular weight.     

Dinuclear titanium complexes with methylphenylsilylene bridge between cyclopentadienyl rings. Synthesis, characterization and reactivity towards ethylene

The new ansa-titanocene dichloride [{(SiMePh)(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}TiCl₂] (1) was prepared by one pot reaction, whereas synthesis of its methylated analogue [{(SiMePh)(η⁵-C₅Me₄)₂}TiCl₂] (3) was performed in two steps with isolation of corresponding silane intermediate SiMePh(HC₅Me₄)₂ (2). The reaction of 1 and 3 with TiCl₄ afforded the dinuclear complexes [(SiMePh){(η⁵-C₅R₄)TiCl₃}₂] (R = H (4) and R = Me (5)). The catalysts formed from 4 and 5 after their activation with excess MAO exhibited a modest activity in ethylene polymerization. The polymer products consisted of high molar mass linear polyethylenes with a broad molar mass distribution. The presence of three paramagnetic titanium species in the mixture 4/MAO was revealed by EPR spectroscopy. All new prepared compounds 1-5 were characterized by multinuclear NMR, EI-MS, IR, and solid-state structures of 1, 3 and 5 were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction.     

Preparation of titanocene and zirconocene dichlorides bearing bulky 1,4-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylcyclopentadienyl ligand and their behavior in polymerization of ethylene

New metallocene dichlorides [η⁵-(1,4-Me₂-2,3-Ph₂-C₅H)₂TiCl₂] (2), [η⁵-(1,4-Me₂-2,3-Ph₂-C₅H)₂ZrCl₂] (3) and [η⁵-(1,4-Me₂-2,3-Ph₂-C₅H)η⁵-(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂] (4) were prepared from lithium salt of 1,4-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylcyclopentadiene (1) and [TiCl₃(THF)₃], [ZrCl₄] and [η⁵-(C₅H₅)ZrCl₃(DME)], respectively. Compounds 2-4 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, EI-MS and IR spectroscopy, and the solid state structure of 3 was determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The catalytic systems 3/MAO and 4/MAO were almost inactive in polymerization of ethylene at 30-50 °C, however, they exhibited high activity at temperature 80 °C. The catalyst formed from 2 and excess of MAO was practically inactive at all temperatures.     

Derivatisation of boryl substituted titanium half-sandwich complexes - Molecular structures of [Ti{(η-C5H4)B(NiPr2)N(H)tBu}Cl2(NMe2)] and [{TiCl2(μ-{OB(NHMe2)-η-C5H4})}2-μ-O]

The half-sandwich complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}(NMe₂)₃] (6) was prepared from (η¹-C₅H₅)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr (5) and [Ti(NMe₂)₄] with cleavage of one equivalent of HNMe₂ and further converted into the corresponding constrained geometry complex [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)NiPr}(NMe₂)₂] (7) by elimination of a second equivalent of HNMe₂. Reaction of the half-sandwich complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}(NMe₂)₃] (R = iPr, tBu) with excess Me₃SiCl yielded the corresponding dichloro complexes [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)R}Cl₂(NMe₂)] (R = tBu (10), iPr (11)). The intermediate species [Ti{(η⁵-C₅H₄)B(NiPr₂)N(H)iPr}Cl(NMe₂)₂] (9) could also be spectroscopically characterised. Partial hydrolysis of 10 and 11, respectively, resulted in formation of [{TiCl₂(μ-{OB(NHMe₂)-η⁵-C₅H₄})}₂-μ-O] (12). The molecular structures of 10 and 12 have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Complex 10, when activated with MAO, was found to be a highly active styrene polymerisation catalyst while being inactive towards the polymerisation of ethylene.     

The effect that 6-tert-butoxyhexyl functionalization has on ethylene polymerization in ansa-zirconocene dichlorides

Ethylene polymerization studies have been carried out with novel precatalysts of the type: [(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)-X(t-BuOC₆H₁₂)Me-(η⁵-C₅H₄)]ZrCl₂ [X=C [1a], Si [2a]], [(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)-XMe₂-(η⁵-(t-BuOC₆H₁₂C₅H₃))] ZrCl₂ [X=C [3a], Si [4a]] in the presence of excess methylalumoxane (MAO) to compare their catalytic activity and to delineate the effect of the 6-t-butoxyhexyl functionality on ethylene polymerization. The precatalysts [1a] and [2a] with the bridge functionality showed higher activity in ethylene polymerization than the corresponding complexes [3a] and [4a] which have it on the Cp ring moiety. On the other hand the silyl bridged complexes [2a] and [4a] produced a higher molecular weight polyethylene than the carbon-bridged one, regardless of the location of functional group.     

Hydro- and chloro-substituted silyl- and silyl-η-amido-η-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl titanium complexes

Chlorosilyl-cyclopentadienyl titanium precursors [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMeXCl)Cl₃] (X=H 2, Cl 3) were prepared by reaction of TiCl₄ with the trimethylsilyl derivatives of the corresponding cyclopentadienes. Methylation of these compounds with MgClMe under appropriate conditions afforded the methyl complexes [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂R)XMe₂] (R=H, X=Cl 5, Me 6; R=X=Me 7). Reactions of 2 and 3 with two equivalents of LiNH^tBu afforded the ansa-silyl-η-amido compounds [Ti{η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMeX(η¹-N^tBu)}Cl₂] (X=H 8, Cl 9). Methylation of 8 gave [Ti{η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMeH(η¹-N^tBu)}Me₂] 10. Complex 9 was also obtained by reaction of 8 with BCl₃, whereas the same reaction using alternative chlorinating agents (TiCl₄, HCl) resulted in deamidation to give 2, which was also converted into 3 by reaction with BCl₃. All of the new compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures of 2 and 4 were determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Ruthenium titanocene and ruthenium titanium half-sandwich bimetallic complexes in catalytic cyclopropanation

The reaction of the phosphine functionalised titanium half-sandwich complexes 7, 9 and 10 with the binuclear complex [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ allowed the access to three new early-late bimetallic complexes (p-cymene)[(μ-η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄(CH₂)_nPR₂)TiX₃]RuCl₂ (11-13). The structure of 11 (n = 0, X = Cl) has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The ruthenium titanium half-sandwich bimetallic complexes so formed and the ruthenium titanocene analogues 4-6 catalyse the addition of ethyl diazoacetate to styrene with high selectivity toward cyclopropanation versus metathesis contrary to the monometallic complexes (p-cymene)RuCl₂PR₃.     

Titanium and zirconium complexes containing the new 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diphenylcyclopentadienyl ligand. Synthesis, characterization and polymerization behavior

An easy and inexpensive three-step synthesis of new 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diphenylcyclopentadiene (3) ligand and the titanium and zirconium homometallocene dichlorides [TiCl₂(η⁵-C₅H-2,3-Me₂-1,4-Ph₂)₂] (4), [ZrCl₂(η⁵-C₅H-2,3-Me₂-1,4-Ph₂)₂] (5), and the mixed ligand zirconium complex [ZrCl₂(η⁵-C₅H-2,3-Me₂-1,4-Ph₂)(η⁵-C₅H₅)] (6) prepared thereof are described. The polymerization of ethene using 4-6/MAO catalysts revealed that zirconocene complexes 5 and 6 displayed moderate and high activity, respectively, whereas the titanium catalyst 4/MAO was inactive. The crystal structures of 4 and 5 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Half-sandwich cyclopentadienyl rhodium complexes bearing pendant sulfur or oxygen ligands and their catalytic behaviors in ethylene polymerization

Two half-sandwich rhodium complexes with sulfur or oxygen functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligands [η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂SCH₂CH₃]RhI₂3, {[η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂OCH₃]RhI₂}₂4 have been synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H-NMR spectra and Elemental analyses. The molecular structures of complexes 3 and 4 have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Complexes 3, 4 with a pendent arm on cyclopentadienyl ligand have been tested as catalysts for ethylene and norbornene polymerization in the presence of MAO. Complexes 3 and 4 kept high activities of ca. 10⁶ g PE mol⁻¹ Rh h⁻¹ with morderate molecular weight (M_w ≈ 10⁵ g mol⁻¹) of polyethylene in the ethylene polymerization. Catalytic activities, molecular weights of polyethylene have been investigated under the various reaction conditions.     

Synthesis and ethylene polymerization behavior of {MeB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)3}TiCl3

The new methyl-tris(pyrazolyl)borate reagents Li[MeTp^Ph] (1) [MeTp^Ph]⁻ = MeB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)₃⁻) and Tl[MeTp^Ph] (2) react with TiCl₄ to afford (MeTp^Ph)TiCl₃ (3) in 77% and 81% yield respectively. 2 reacts with ZrCl₄ and HfCl₄ to yield mixtures of products. The reaction of 1 with TiCl₃(THF)₃ proceeds with B-N bond cleavage to afford TiCl₃(3-Ph-pyrazole)(THF)₂ as the major product (30%). The reaction of 3 with MeLi (3 equiv) yields 1 (60%) and reduced Ti species, via apparent displacement of [MeTp^Ph]⁻ and generation of unstable TiCl₄Me_4−x species. Under MAO activation conditions (MAO = methylalumoxane), 3 polymerizes ethylene to linear polyethylene. 3/MAO is significantly more active in ethylene polymerization than the hydrido-tris(pyrazolyl)borate analogue {HB(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)₃}TiCl₃/MAO.     

Mono- and bis-[2-(P,P-dimethylphosphanyl)ethyl]tetramethylcyclopentadienyl zirconium(IV) complexes: Synthesis and structural studies in crystalline state and in solutions

Synthetic routines for a new ligand C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂ (2b) in forms of its Li- (2b-Li), Na- (2b-Na) salts and in the CH-form (2b-H), as well as for silanes Me₃Si-C₅H₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂ (3a) and Me₃Si-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂ (3b) have been developed. On the basis of it, new half-sandwich [η⁵:η¹-κP-C₅H₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂]ZrCl₃ (4a), [η⁵:η¹-κP-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂]ZrCl₃ (4b) and sandwich [η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂]₂ZrCl₂ (5), [η⁵-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂PMe₂][η⁵-C₅Me₅]ZrCl₃ (6) complexes of Zr(IV) have been prepared and characterized. Along with them, the first example of X-ray structurally characterized dinuclear Zr(IV) complex incorporating both sandwich (6) and half-sandwich (4b) moieties linked one to another by means of Zr ← P coordination bond 7, has been described. Formation of an analogously organized trinuclear complex 8, built from one sandwich fragment of 5 and two half-sandwich fragments of 4b was proved by NMR spectroscopy methods. Molecular structures of half-sandwich complexes in their solvent-free dimeric forms (4a and 4b) and as 1:1 adducts with THF (4a-THF and 4b-THF) along with those of dinuclear complex 7 have been established by X-ray diffraction analyses. The dynamic behavior for di- and trinuclear complexes 7 and 8, due to the intermolecular dissociation-coordination of the Me₂P-groups in THF-d₈ solutions has been studied by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy.     

Bimetallic complexes with ruthenium and tantalocene moieties: Synthesis and use in a catalytic cyclopropanation reaction

The reaction of the tantalocene dichloride monophosphines (1-2) with the binuclear complex [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ gives the heterobimetallic compounds (p-cymene)[(η⁵-C₅H₅)(μ-η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂PR₂)TaCl₂]RuCl₂ (3-4). The air oxidation of these bimetallic species 3-4, leads to the cationic hydroxo tantalum ruthenium derivatives 5-6. The last ones are easily deprotonated by a base to afford the oxo analogues 7-8. A preliminary assessment in catalytic cyclopropanation of styrene with tantalum ruthenium bimetallic complexes 3-8 as precatalysts revealed a cooperative effect with a subtle role of the early metal fragment.     

New group 4 half sandwich complexes containing triethanolamine ligand for polyethylene

(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(TEA) (M = Ti, 1; Zr, 2; Hf, 3; TEA = triethanolateamine) was prepared by the reaction of (η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl₃ with triethanolamine in the presence of NEt₃. The polyethylene catalytic efficiency in terms of activity decreases in the order 1/MAO > 2/MAO ? 3/MAO. In addition, the molecular weight (M_v) and melting temperature (T_m) of all the resulting polyethylene obtained by 2/MAO show the range of M_v = 91,200-356,200 and T_m = 137.0-141.9 °C, respectively; however, 1/MAO and 3/MAO gave polyethylenes with lower molecular weight (M_v = 6800-78,700) and lower melting temperature (T_m = 125.9-136.7 °C). Furthermore, 1/MAO showed significant decrease in the catalytic activity with increasing polymerization temperature though 2/MAO and 3/MAO have no dependence on the polymerization temperature.     

Synthesis, structures, and catalytic properties for ethylene polymerization of bridged [η,η-C5H4CHPhArO]TiCl2 complexes

A number of bridged half-sandwich titanium complexes [η⁵:η¹-2-C₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂O]TiCl₂ [R¹ = H (5), Me (6), ^tBu (7, 8); R² = H (6, 7), ^tBu (5, 8)] were synthesized from the reaction of their corresponding trimethylsilyl substituted ligand precursors 2-Me₃SiC₅H₄CHPh-4-R¹-6-R²C₆H₂OSiMe₃ [R¹ = H (1), Me (2), ^tBu (3, 4); R² = H (2, 3), ^tBu (1, 4)] with TiCl₄ in hexane. All new complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of complexes 5 and 8 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon activation with AlⁱBu₃/Ph₃CB (C₆F₅)₄, complexes 5-8 exhibit reasonable catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 1-hexene, producing polyethylene and poly(ethylene-co-1-hexene) with moderate molecular weights.     

Polymerization of ethene with zirconocene catalysts: an experimental and quantum chemical study of the influence of para-substituent in benzyl in bis{η-(1-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichlorides

The meso- and rac-like isomers of bis{η⁵-(1-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (5), bis{η⁵-(1-para-methoxybenzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (6), bis{η⁵-(1-para-fluoro-benzyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (7) and bis{η⁵-(1-phenylethyl)indenyl}zirconium dichloride (8) were synthesized and isolated. Solid-state structures of meso- and rac-like 5 were determined by X-ray structure analysis. Polymerization properties of the methylaluminoxane (MAO) activated diastereomers of complexes 5-8 were studied in ethene polymerizations under different monomer concentrations. The rac-like isomer of 1-phenylethyl-substituted 8/MAO showed significantly higher activity than the 1-benzyl substituted analogs 5-7/MAO. In addition, rac-8/MAO behaves like a single center catalyst producing polyethene with narrow molar mass distribution (1.8-1.9), while diastereomers of 5-7/MAO produce polymers with molar mass distributions varying from 2.7 up to 10.3. The rac and meso-like isomers of 5-7/MAO have different response on the monomer concentration. Quantum chemical calculations suggest a strong interaction between the benzyl substituent and the electron deficient zirconium center. The phenyl metal coordination energies depend on the electronic properties of the para-substituent. In 8/MAO, due to the ethyl spacer, the coordination does not have a significant role and therefore much higher activity and single center polymerization behavior is observed.     

Various silyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl titanium complexes [CpSi(CH3)2X]TiCl3 as catalysts for syndiotactic polystyrene

Three silyl-substituted titanium trichloride complexes [CpSi(CH₃)₂X]TiCl₃ [X=Cl(1), Me(2), PhOMe(3)] were tested as catalyst precursors for the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene. The catalytic activity increased in the order 1 > 2 > 3. The highest activity was 2.42 × 10⁷ g s-PS/mol Ti mol S h using complex 1/MAO catalytic system at molar ratio of Al/Ti=2000. The effects of variation on polymerization temperature and Al/Ti ratio on the polymerization of styrene were also studied.     

A new ruthenium complex with benz[f]indenyl ligand for living radical polymerization

A new ruthenium complex with benz[f]indenyl ligand, (η⁵-benz[f]indenyl)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl (4), was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 4 was examined in comparison with its indenyl analogue (η⁵-indenyl)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl (3) in living radical polymerization of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Linear increase of molecular weights with conversion and low polydispersities (1.09-1.19 for St, 1.11-1.17 for MMA) were obtained with 4.     

Synthesis and characterization of palladium(II) complexes with chiral aminophosphine ligands: Catalytic behaviour in asymmetric hydrovinylation. Crystal structure of cis-[PdCl2(PPh((R)-NHCHCH3Ph)2)2]

Optically active ligands of type Ph₂PNHR (R = (R)-CHCH₃Ph, (a); (R)-CHCH₃Cy, (b); (R)-CHCH₃Naph, (c)) and PhP(NHR)₂ (R = (R)-CHCH₃Ph, (d); (R)-CHCH₃Cy, (e)) with a stereogenic carbon atom in the R substituent were synthesized. Reaction with [PdCl₂(COD)₂] produced [PdCl₂P₂] (1) (P = PhP(NHCHCH₃Ph)₂), whose molecular structure determined by X-ray diffraction showed cis disposition for the ligands. All nitrogen atoms of amino groups adopted S configuration. The new ligands reacted with allylic dimeric palladium compound [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)Cl]₂ to gave neutral aminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)ClP] (2a-2e) or cationic aminophosphine complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)P₂]BF₄ (3a-3e) in the presence of the stoichiometric amount of AgBF₄. Cationic complexes [Pd(η⁴3-2-methylallyl)(NCCH₃)P]BF₄ (4a-4e) were prepared in solution to be used as precursors in the catalytic hydrovinylation of styrene. ³¹P NMR spectroscopy showed the existence of an equilibrium between the expected cationic mixed complexes 4, the symmetrical cationic complexes [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)P₂]BF₄ (3) and [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)(NCCH₃)₂]BF₄ (5) coming from the symmetrization reaction. The extension of the process was studied with the aminophosphines (a-e) as well as with nonchiral monodentate phosphines (PCy₃ (f), PBn₃ (g), PPh₃ (h), PMe₂Ph (i)) showing a good match between the extension of the symmetrization and the size of the phosphine ligand. We studied the influence of such equilibria in the hydrovinylation of styrene because the behaviour of catalytic precursors can be modified substantially when prepared ‘in situ’. While compounds 3 and bisacetonitrile complex 5 were not active as catalysts, the [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)(η²-styrene)₂]⁺ species formed in the absence of acetonitrile showed some activity in the formation of codimers and dimers. Hydrovinylation reaction between styrene and ethylene was tested using catalytic precursors solutions of [Pd(η³-2-methylallyl)LP]BF₄ ionic species (L = CH₃CN or styrene) showing moderate activity and good selectivity. Better activities but lower selectivities were found when L = styrene. Only in the case of the precursor containing Ph₂PNHCHCH₃Ph (a) ligand was some enantiodiscrimination (10%) found.     

Reversible pyranyl complex formation and the mechanism of rearrangement to (η-6-oxocycloheptadienyl)Mn(CO)3 complexes in the reaction of β-cyclomanganated 1,5-diarylpenta-1,4-dien-3-ones and alkynes; the crystal structure of [2,4-diphenyl-6-(2-phenylethenyl)pyranyl-η]tricarbonylmanganese

[1-Phenyl-2-[(E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-oyl-κO]ethenyl-κC¹]tetracarbonylmanganese (1a) reacts with PhCCH in CCl₄ at room temperature to form [2,4-diphenyl-6-(2-phenylethenyl)pyranyl-η⁵]tricarbonylmanganese (2a), whose X-ray crystal structure is reported to complement that of its isomer [6-oxo-2,4,7-triphenylcyclohepta-1,4-dienyl-1,2,3,4,5-η]tricarbonylmanganese (3a), previously obtained from the reaction under reflux; but for 1a and PhCCPh the pyranyl complex cannot be isolated before rearrangement to the 3a analogue occurs. More forcing reaction conditions for 1a with Me₃SiCCH and for [1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-[(E)-3-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-oyl-κO]ethenyl-κC¹]tetracarbonylmanganese (1b) with Me₃SiCCH and PhCCH give new analogues of 3a where previously only 2a analogues had been isolated.The reaction in CCl₄ under reflux of PhCCH and the β-deuterio analogue of 1a, [1-phenyl-2-[(E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-oyl-3d-κO]ethenyl-κC¹]tetracarbonylmanganese, gave deuteriated 3a with exo-D at the α-carbon, C7. This is inconsistent with the Mn-mediated Ph migration mechanism originally proposed to accommodate the endo position of Ph in 3a, and instead it implicates a cyclopropyl carbonyl-addition intermediate or a cyclopropyl acyl-substitution transition state in the key rearrangement step for 2a → 3a.     

Fulvalenediyl-bridged heterobimetallic complexes consisting of sandwich and half-sandwich compounds with early-late transition metals

A straightforward synthesis methodology for the preparation of heterobimetallic [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄-C₅Me₄)M] (3a, M = Fe; 3b, M = Ru) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)((μ-η⁵:η⁵-C₅H₄-C₅Me₄)TiCl₃)M] (4a, M = Fe; 4b, M = Ru) in which early and late transition metals are connected by a fulvalenediyl bridge is reported.The structures of molecules 3b and 4a in the solid state are discussed. Most noteworthy in 4a is the exo arrangement of the iron and titanium atoms coordinated by the fulvalenediyl unit which itself is twisted with a dihedral angle between the joined cyclopentadienyl rings of 19.33(9)°. Electrochemical, UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical experiments on 4a and Cp∗TiCl₃, for comparison, provide evidence for some transfer of electronic information between the conjoined ferrocene and half-sandwich titanocene trichloride subunits of 4a. Evidence comes from systematic potential shifts and the presence of a fairly intense Fe → Ti charge-transfer absorption band that vanishes upon oxidation and reduction of 4a.